The Arizona Diamondbacks may be without their All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte for a few more weeks, but manager Torey Lovullo is encouraged by the progress his star infielder has made in healing from a Grade 1 left hamstring strain.
“Hopefully, that will happen before the month is out. If not, it will be shortly after that,” Lovullo stated on Friday, providing the most precise timeframe for Marte’s possible comeback to date.
After pulling up while sprinting the bases during a double against the Washington Nationals the previous evening, Marte was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 5. Although there was some initial doubt due to the injury, optimism has grown as Marte has resumed baseball activities, such as fielding ground balls and swinging in the batting cage, after imaging confirmed the slight strain.
Despite having a lengthy history of hamstring problems, the 31-year-old told Lovullo that this injury felt different from previous ones that kept him out of action for extensive periods of time in 2021 and 2022. In contrast to the more acute discomfort he has had in the past, Marte described the feeling as more of a “grab or cramp,” according to Lovullo.
Diamondbacks looking to get all-star Ketel Marte back sooner than expected
Lovullo remarked, “He’s very in tune with his body.” “I thought we were in a good place when he said it was a grab rather than a yank, a pull, or feels like he got stabbed,” which had been some of his remarks.
The coaches and training staff have been able to trust Marte’s timeframe because of his level of self-awareness. “I say, okay,” Lovullo continued, “when he tells me that he can’t run hard today because his hamstrings are tight.” “He definitely knows his body better than anyone else we have.”
Prior to the injury, Marte was hitting well, batting.346 with three doubles, six runs, and an OPS of.900 after eight games. With career highs of 36 home runs and 95 RBIs, he placed third in the NL MVP vote the previous season and is still a key member of Arizona’s lineup.
Lovullo’s optimism earlier this week was echoed by assistant general manager Mike Fitzgerald, who said the team’s original concerns about a 6- to 8-week absence now seem excessively conservative. Fitzgerald stated, “His timeline seems to be shorter than we initially feared.”
The majority of the second base reps in Marte’s absence have gone to Garrett Hampson, with youngster Tim Tawa also seeing some action. In the batting order, Geraldo Perdomo has been moved up to lead off against lefties and hit second versus righties.
Currently holding onto the top spot in the NL West, the Diamondbacks are hoping that Marte’s return would strengthen a lineup that has already been able to compete without him. They’ll keep depending on depth until then and hold out hope that one of their best players will return to action sooner rather than later.
